Roehl Training August 2014

I start my training monday in Appleton i just hopr my hair is long enough when they do the hair drug test,i hope its at the end of the class so that will give me another 3 weeks to grow.When did they cut your hair?

First day out with Russell, super nice guy, picked me up in Syracuse, he drove about 20 miles to another rest stop and we switched seats. Holy pressure lol j/k went and dropped our empty trailer at a company, picked up a full. Lo and behold, we are heading to Chicago with it, so, almost all the way back to my home, we stop for the night lol It's nice to know that a few days away from a truck hasn't affected things, not that i really thought it would, but being so new... It's only day one, who knows what's happening tomorrow or next week heh. But i am so looking forward to it. Until next time gang! Wtg Michael lol glad i wasn't the only one who watched the show lol

Kevin, They did the hair follicle test in week three, a day before i completed... I did notice a guy with a brush cut had a couple bare spots lol Don't think you will have to worry unless your bald, then, well, they have to get the hair from somewhere lol When you get to Appleton, tell big John i said hi and tell schmitty things are great lol Good bunch of guys there! You will enjoy yourself!

hey thanks alot im going down there with a coworker from mcdonalds (can't make it any more working there). I've always had short hair so its about 1 in, to 1 1/4 now just hope im not growing it out to have them go somewhere else lol,loved your videos gave me a little insite on how fast paced its all going to be,hope it helps knowing someone thanks again for everything,will relay your message to those guys.just remember keep it between the ditches and good luck keep us posted on how its all going. i

Kevin, They did the hair follicle test in week three, a day before i completed... I did notice a guy with a brush cut had a couple bare spots lol Don't think you will have to worry unless your bald, then, well, they have to get the hair from somewhere lol When you get to Appleton, tell big John i said hi and tell schmitty things are great lol Good bunch of guys there! You will enjoy yourself!

You'll be fine Kevin, They only need about 75 strands about an inch long. No worries. We finally made it to our drop, a live unload, then off to Michigan... Things are finally coming together, i know there is still a ton to learn, more about the qual comm, more on route planning and trip times. But after two days, i am beginning to feel like i belong here. I think the two weeks will both go very quickly and at the same time be incredibly painfully slow ha. I'm truly enjoying myself tho. Trainer is awesome at pointing things out, corrections when i need, so far so good! Really hope this all helps to anyone interested in Roehl.

Great news Andy, it will seem to creep by, but before you know it you will be testing out . If you get truck 4031 its a good one.

Hey Andy 75 strands is about all i have lol.I'm glad everything is going good for you so far,the butterflies are starting already,my wife don't help when she sits and cries cuz im going(or maybe not going quick enough)lol.She knows its all for the better.I live in upper michigan (iron m ountain) are you going to upper or lower mi? It's beautiful up here thats why i left chicago to live up here.I wont have a pc with me at school but if i can get ahold of 1 i'll let every1 know how its going.thanks alot and drive safe.

You'll be fine Kevin, They only need about 75 strands about an inch long. No worries. We finally made it to our drop, a live unload, then off to Michigan... Things are finally coming together, i know there is still a ton to learn, more about the qual comm, more on route planning and trip times. But after two days, i am beginning to feel like i belong here. I think the two weeks will both go very quickly and at the same time be incredibly painfully slow ha. I'm truly enjoying myself tho. Trainer is awesome at pointing things out, corrections when i need, so far so good! Really hope this all helps to anyone interested in Roehl.

What a freaking trip! Busy, been from New Jersey to Texas.. (Dallas at the moment) Unbelievable how far I've come... First day with the trainer, nervous about pulling the truck up a few feet into a fuel island lol To cruising along at 64 miles per hour with 42,000 pounds of canned goods behind me... I've seen the hills of PA and Virginia, the traffic of Chicago, the unending corn fields in Ohio and Minnesota. Chesapeake bay and the great Mississippi... So much in between. I found truck stops to be both super nice and quite a trip to be in lol Trying to sleep in. A top bunk while Russ is going through "destruction" routes lol my ribs hurt from bouncing up in the air and down... OOF! But i wouldn't trade it for anything. Spent a day in Missouri waiting on a repair, def issues... 9 am to 8pm Of course we had to make our delivery in San Antonio, 22 hours of drive time and 21 hours between us. We'll be a lil late, but it's a learning experience. Logs, paperwork, messages on qual comm, lots to learn. Russ nicknamed me "detour" Lmbo. At first, lemme tell ya, it's overwhelming. All the signs to look for... I missed a few, but old pro now lol Lessons on map reading, etc. I test Saturday to get my own rig. Looking forward to it actually. Confident. Shifting skills are top notch now. Advice on those going to a trainer, Pack 6 _7 smaller bags. So much easier to move to the passenger seat to sleep. It's realistic to expect to shower every other day, until your on your own and earn your own credits.... Except the Ohio turnpike lol free showers. Nice too. Play the rookie card at pilot and flying j's can score you a free shower too ha. "I'm a rookie here, Really no idea what I'm doing (smile) how does the shower system work? 3 out of five gave me a freebie teehee I brought a few cans of foodstuffs, some other non perishable, it's really not expensive to eat tho. Of course i don't eat breakfast, snack for lunch, ohhhh pilot now has chicken fried steak at a few places, delicious! I average 300 to 400 miles a day, one or two 500 mile days. Russ is taking me to the bank ha. But my 90 dollars a day will suffice. I give trainers a lot of credit. Keeping calm during a major rainstorm, i took an exit a lil hot, needed a crow bar to get my a** off the seat lol, he was very Kool about it. Few more hours till San Antonio, then nothing until i test... Loving life right now!

Very nice andy. You've come a long way in a short amount of time. I'm guessing you will be testing out in Dallas. I never went over there. I hear its pretty small. Hopefully you get a newer truck in good shape. Some of those 12 prostars have been through alot. Be safe and best wishes

Pj, thank you! Yes, the trial by fire is crazy lol Actually wound up in Atlanta for testing, passed woot! They gave me a 2013 cascadia condo, styling lol. Only problem is its truck pc instead of qual comm i learned on. Truck orientation tomorrow and i can lose the "in school" moniker. One more step down. The real pressure now is a first run i think ha. But Damn, i feel on top of the world today!

Hey, I just came across your blog. Reading it reminded me of the thrills, high and low, of getting through school, orientation, and running solo. I'm happy for you man! Please return and let us know how you're doing, or if you have any questions or concerns. I know you've been through a lot already, but the adventure is just beginning!